Mobile self-erecting marine platforms



Sept. 6, 1966 L w. MANGQNE Re. 26,073

MOBILE SELF-ERECTING MARINE PLATFORMS Original Filed Oct. 12, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 lnvcnfor:

llfan W Mango/1e Sept. 6, 1966 w MANGONE Re. 26,073

MOBILE SELF-ERECTING MARINE PLATFORMS Original Filed Oct. 12. 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 lnvenior:

\ /van M flfangone Sept. 6, 1966 1. w. MANGONE Re. 26,073

MOBILE SELF'ERECTING MARINE PLATFORMS Original Filed Oct. 12, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 lm'enlbr:

lvan W Man /one Sept. 6, 1966 w. MANGONE MOBILE SELF-ERECTING MARINE PLATFORMS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Oct.

f%. I E

lnvenfor:

/van 11 Mangone United States Patent 26,073 MOBILE SELF-ERECTING MARINE PLATFORMS Ivan W. Mangone, Houston, Tex., assignor to Offshore Structures & Service Co., Houston, Tex., a partnership Original No. 2,968,930, dated Jan. 24, 1961, Ser. No.

539,960, Oct. 12, 1955. Application for reissue Oct. 8,

1965, Ser. No. 495,768

6 Claims. (Cl. fill-46.5)

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements and structural refinements in off-shore well drilling equipment, and more particularly the invention concerns itself with a mobile, selferecting marine platform.

A platform of this type must be capable of economical transportation to a desired location, expeditious and economical erection with a minimum of auxiliary equipment in rough water, dependable and quick anchorage to sea beds of various condition and, when the drilling operation is completed, expeditious removal from around a well head in readiness for transportation to a new site.

The principal object of the instant invention is to satisfy all of the foregoing requirements, this being attained by the provision of a platform consisting primarily of a buoyant platform member surrounded by a framework which may be raised and lowered relative to the platform member so as to be selcctivcly floated thereby and rested on the sea bed.

An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of an articulated framework having complemcntal, hinged sections adapted for folding and unfolding movement between a horizontally extended travelling position and an erected operative position, whereby the entire apparatus may be conveniently transported even in relatively shallow water and quickly erected at the site of operation without the use of auxiliary equipment such as floating cranes, and the like.

Another feature of the invention involves the provision of self-contained means for anchoring the framework of the platform to the sea bed, and further means for loosening the anchoring means from the sea bed when the apparatus is to be moved to another location.

With the foregoing more important objects and features in view and such other objects and features as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the invention resides in the arrangement of parts and details of construction substantially as shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of reference are employed to designate like parts and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an end view thereof, taken in the direction of the arrow 2 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is atop plan view of the same;

FIGURE 4 is an end view, similar to that shown in FIGURE 2 but with the platform member raised relative to the framework;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary elevational view on an enlarged scale of the anchoring means;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional detail, taken substantially in the plane of the line 66 in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional detail, taken substantially in the plane of the line 7-7 in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the anchoring screw of FIGURE 5 provided with means for loosening the same;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional detail of another form of anchoring means;

FIGURE 10 is a side elevational view, on a reduced scale, showing the articulated framework in the act of folding or unfolding;

Reissued Sept. 6, 1966 FIGURE 11. is a side elevational view showing a modified arrangement of the articulated framework in the act of folding or unfolding; and

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE II with the framework scctions extended.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, particularly to FIGURES 1-4 thereof, the mobile self-erecting marine platform is designated by the general reference numeral 20 and consists primarily of two main components, namely, a buoyant platform member 21 and a structural framework 22 which surrounds the same.

The platform member 21 is of any suitable construction and is provided in one end portion thereof with an open-sided recess 23 to accommodate a conventional well head 24, as will be clearly apparent.

The framework 22 is fabricated from structural material including a plurality'of upwardly extending members 25 which may be either girders or tubes and which may, if desired, be hollow to assist in the buoyancy of the apparatus as a whole. In any event, the members 25 are secured together by horizontal struts 26 and cross braces 27 and it is to be noted that the end portion of the framework 22 at the recessed end of the platfrom member 21 is open so as to afford a passage 28 for the Well head 24 when the apparatus is to be moved in or out from around the well head.

The platform member 21 is operatively connected to the framework 22 by hoist lines 29, 30 operated by winches 31 aboard the platform member, it being understood from the foregoing that by actuating these winches the platform member may be raised or lowered relative to the framework, and vice versa.

The basic form of the invention is intended primarily for use in relatively deep water and, with the framework 22 raised relative to the platform member 21 as shown in FIGURES l and 2, the entire apparatus may be floated to the desired site of operation, as for example, around the well head 24. By actuating the winches 31 the framework 22 may be lowered with respect to the platform member so that the framework rests on the sea bed 32, as illustrated in FIGURE 4. Moreover, the platform member 21 may be raised relative to the framework as shown in the same figure, so that it is well clear of the highest wave crest on the water lever 33.

As shown in FIGURES 48, means are provided for anchoring the framework 22 to the sea bed, these means consisting of a set of anchoring screws 34 disposed in the corner portions of the framework and having spiral flights 35 supportably engaged by rotatable rollers 36 carried by suitable brackets 37 secured to the framework members 25. The screws 34 may be rotated by any suitable means so that they are projected downwardly from the framework 22 into the sea bed 32.

When the apparatus is to be moved to another location, the screws 34 are retracted into the framework and, shown in FIGURE 8, means may be provided for loosening the screws from the sea bed by breaking the skin friction thereon. Such means comprise a channel-shaped member 38 enclosing in spaced relation the marginal edge 35' of the screw flight 35 and secured to the screw flight at spaced intervals, such as by spot welding 39. Suitable means are provided for delivering fluid such as air or water under pressure into the member 38 so that it is discharged through the spaces between the spot welds 39 to break skin friction on the screw flight 35. It will be also observed that the member 38 constitutes a marginal cutting edge for the screw flight.

As an addition to or an alternative for the anchoring means already described, another form of anchoring means for the framework 22 is shown in FIGURE 9, wherein an inverted channel 40 is provided at the bottom edge of the framework to engage the sea bed. When such a channel becomes embedded in mud, lighter fluid such as air or water may be pumped into the channel through a suitable conduit 41 to develop sufficient lift for supporting the entire apparatus. The side flanges of the channel 40 effectively resist lateral movement from currents at the sea bed and provide effective anchoring means as skin friction with the mud develops thereon.

Means similar to that shown in FlGURE 8 are used for breaking the skin friction and loosening the channel 40 when the apparatus is to be moved, these means comprising channel-shaped members 42 provided at the lower edges of the channel 49 and secured thereto at spaced points 43. Air or water under pressure is delivered into the members 42 through a suitable conduit 44, for discharging through the spaces between the points 43 alo g both the inner and outer surfaces of the side flanges of the channel 40.

The accompanying FIGURES ll2 show a modified form of the framework structure primarily intended for use in relatively shallow water. As such, FIGURE illustrates the buoyant platform member 21 and a framework of an articulated construction comprising a pair of complemental half-sections 22a and 22b which are pivotally connected together as indicated at 45 so that they may be swung from the erected, operative position to a horizontally extended, substantially flat transporting position, as indicated by the arrows 46.

When the sections 22a, 22b are drawn together they assume the erected operative position as shown in FIG- URES l4, but when they are unfolded into the horizontal- 1y extended position. they are substantially flat and have a very shallow draft so that the entire apparatus may be transported even in shallow water.

The sections 22a and 22b are folded and unfolded by suitable lines 47 connected to winches 48 aboard the platform member 21 and the raising and lowering of the framework relative to the platform member is effected by hoist lines 49 connected to the pivots 45 and/or other points on the structure.

In a slightly modified embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURES ll and 12, the sections 22a and 22b are pivoted at the points 50 to an elongated carrier 51 suspended from the platform member 21 by hoist lines 52 of the winches 53.

It is to be particularly noted that in all instances the operative connection between the platform memtcr and the framework is such that the apparatus may be transported, erected and relocated without the use of auxiliary equipment such as floating cranes, and the like.

\Vhilc in the foregoing there have been shown and described the preferred embodiments of the invention, various modifications may become apparent to those sltillrd in the art to which the invention relates. Accordingly, it is not desired to limit the invention to this disclosure and various t'llULllllCtlllOllS may be resorted to, such as may lie within the spirit and scope of the appended claims,

What is claimed as new is:

I. In a mobile self-erecting marine platform. the combination of an upstanding marginal framework having a substantially rectangular plan when erected and defining a rectangular opening at the center thereof, said framework eomprising a pair of complemental half-sections of a U-shaped plan when erected, said half-sections having upper and lower edges and pairs of opposing side edges which are in abutment when the framework is erected, hinge means provided on said opposing side edges at said lower edges of said half-sections whereby the same may be swung from their erected position outwardly and downwardly to a substantially horizontal travelling position wherein their lower edges are in abutment, a substan tially rectangular buoyant platfcrm member disposed in said opening and having its marginal edges spaced inwardly from said framework, winch means carried by said platform member, cables extending downwardly from said winch means to the lower edge portions of said halfsections adjacent said hinge means whereby said frame- Work may be raised and lowered relative to the platform member with the latter having suflicient buoyancy to float. the framework when the framework is raised, and cables cr-zt ng from said winch means to upper edge portions of said halfsections whereby the may be swung between their erected and travelling positions and whereby said platform member may be raised relative to the framework when the latter is erected.

2. The tlcric-e as rlcflncrl in claim I together ltllll means for releasably anchoring sairl framework to the sea bcrl when the framework is erected.

3. The device as defined in claim 2 wherein Sflltl (mclzorlng means comprise inverted U-sltapcd channels provldcrl at said lower crlecs of said liulf-s'ccliruts, said clmm ncls having an open bottom, a closed top Wall and a pair of trrmrrcracly .s'paccrl .slclc walls, said side walls" having lmvcr edges adapted to be cmbcddcd in the sea bed ii'ltcn .rulcl framework is erected with said top and side walls of the channels enacting will: the sea bed to define a closed chamber within the channels, and means for pressure-delivering into said chamber a fluid lighter llmli rltc matcrial of 1/26 sec! bcrl, wlicrcby to iriiparl a factor of bouyancy to said fI'dIIIEWO/li' and assist in loosening the framework from the sea bed.

4. The device as defined in claim 3 together l rli lm'il discharging jms provider! on mid side walls of said clumncls, said jets being tli'sporcd at points spaced upwardly from the lower edges of said side walls and oriented in an upii'arn direction, and means for delivering fluid under pressure to said jets, whereby to assist in loosening the framework from the sea bed.

5. The rlcvicc as clcfincn' in claim 2 wherein said anchoring means comprise auger-like screws rotatably mounted in said framework and projcctablc donuzu'nrrlly therefrom into the sea bed.

6. The device as dc/inrd lll claim 5 wherein ('(IClt of said screws has a spiral flight wlrlz (1 central axis and a marginal crlgc, together Wllll a clmrmcbslmpcrl member secured to am! enclosing the marginal edge portion of said flight in spaced relation, .valtl chantic/shaped mcmbr'r lmvlllg an open inner slrlc oriental radially inwardly toward the axis of said flight, and means for delivering fluid midcr pressure into said channel-shaped member for disclmrgc through the open inner side thereof, whereby m assist in loosening the screw from the .rcrr bed.

References Cited by the Examiner The following references, cited by the Examiner, are of record in the patented file of this patent or the original patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

I. SHAPIRO, Assistant llrrimlncr. 

